Daniel L. Merkwan, Sr, age 91, of Yankton, died on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, February 22, 2010 at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton with Rev. Paul Opsahl officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery, Yankton with military graveside rites by Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791, Yankton. Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton and will resume one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel. Pallbearers will be Jim, Joe, Mike, Gary, John and Michael Merkwan. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great granddaughter.
Dan was born on May 26, 1918 in Tabor, SD, to Mathias and Sophie (Kortan) Merkwan and grew up in the Tabor area. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in November of 1944 and was discharged in 1946 having attained the rank of sergeant. He served in Germany for two months and in the Philippine Islands for fourteen months.
He loved to fish, hunt, dance to polkas and waltzes, play pool in the Missouri Valley Pool League, throw horseshoes, and farm. Above all, he loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was especially proud to see the addition of a great- great-granddaughter to his family.
He started working in construction on the Gavins Point Dam at its beginning. Dan continued work on the project as a foreman in charge of many different facets of construction until its completion. Other projects he worked on include: Wilson Trailer Company, Yankton Safety Center, Yankton Public Library, State Highway Building, and Webster and Stewart School additions.
On September 10, 1940, he married Gladys Srb, and to this union were born four sons: Daniel, Jr., David, Daryl, and Michael. Dan was a member of the VFW.
Dan is survived by his wife, Gladys of Yankton; three sons: David, Daryl (and special friend Connie), Michael (Deb), all of Yankton; seven grandchildren: Susan Glowcheski, John Merkwan, James Merkwan, Joel Merkwan, Bree Merkwan, Brook Merkwan, and Michael Merkwan; eight great-grandchildren: Cassandra Jonas, Kimberly Jonas, MiKayla Glowcheski, Grayson Merkwan, Benjamin Merkwan, Hannah Merkwan, Jacob Merkwan, and Sarah Merkwan; three step-great grandsons: Shane, Chris, and Mykel Glowcheski; one great-great-granddaughter, Peytyn Medricky; one sister, Blanche and one sister-in-law, Laura.
Preceding Dan in death were a son, Daniel, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Sherry; his parents; two brothers, Carson and Rueben; one sister, Marie; and an infant brother.
